Russian Court Bans TNK-BP's Chief Executive for 2 Years

BP has expressed its disappointment with a Moscow court's decision to ban TNK-BP's Chief Executive, Robert Dudley, from working in Russia for two years.

"We are very disappointed with this decision," BP press officer Robert Wine told Rigzone. "However, Bob Dudley remains CEO pending completion of an appeal process. Bob Dudley has BP's full support. We believe this is clearly a further example of administrative activity orchestrated by the other shareholders in TNK-BP."

The decision comes after the Presnensky Court ruled that Dudley had violated a clause of Russia’s labor code, specifically "for not fulfilling, by the prescribed deadline, legal instructions from a state agency responsible for overseeing the correction of infringements." Dudley was fined 500 roubles and could have been banned for up to three years.